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Good Food, Good Friends Rialto Restaurant of Carle Place is the ideal location for a romantic evening out with your special someone or even for just a quiet evening out with family and friends. The atmosphere is pleasantly cozy, smooth jazz music plays as you dine and the intimate, subdued lighting sets the tone for a relaxing evening.
Owners
Mario and Tara Fuentes recently took over the restaurant this past August. Rialto
has been in business for 26 years and when the Fuentes’ heard the restaurant was
up for sale, they jumped at the opportunity to make the purchase. Mario also doubles
as the talented chef behind the restaurants incredible cuisine. Formerly of Café
Testarossa in Syosset, Chef Mario is dedicated to providing his customers with an
extraordinary dining experience. He still prepares Rialto’s signature dishes and
has also added some of his own specialties to further enhance the menu. Right off the bat we were particularly impressed with the friendly, attentive and amusing service. Throughout our dining experience we were never without a smile compliments of our server, Alan, and the rest of the Rialto staff. We began our dining experience with a complimentary tasting of fresh Parmesan cheese and an assortment of olives. We were also treated to a breadbasket (below left) and some classic Bruschetta on garlic baguettes, which were nicely toasted and featured rich, balsamic notes (below right).
To accompany our meal we were offered some red wine, a smooth Cabernet, which tasted great because it was aerating for quite some time. We also sampled a few of their popular cocktails including the crisp Pomegranate Martini (below left) and some delicious red Sangria filled with lots of fresh fruit (below right).
The first appetizer to reach our table were the beautifully presented Sea Scallops (below left). Presented atop a flavorful mushroom risotto, these scallops were cooked to perfection and immediately impressed our taste buds.
We
continued with the Red Beet Salad consisting of arugula, romaine, red beets and
mandarin oranges topped with feta cheese in raspberry vinaigrette (above right).
This light, fresh salad is one of the many specials Chef Mario has incorporated to
the menu here. All components were extremely fresh and combine together to create a
delightful, refreshing salad. A standout appetizer we can confidently recommended is another special from Chef Mario – the Tuna Carpaccio (below left). The tuna is thinly sliced and drizzled with a lemon citrus vinaigrette, which really shined. This is a great appetizer to share amongst the table, however it is so enjoyable you may find yourself not wanting to share.
Our
first pasta dish were the Lobster Ravioli served in a tomato and cream sauce (above
right). The ravioli were clearly homemade and filled with fresh, tasty, lobster
meat. The sauce was equally scrumptious leading us to discover that these are the
lobster ravioli that other lobster ravioli are trying to be! The Fuzzi Istriana with veal sauce is a best seller on the menu, and we can surely see why (below left)! Named after Rialto’s previous owner, the homemade pasta was cooked to a desirable al dente and the sauce was excellently executed with luscious flavors.
We
really have to commend Chef Mario on his special Almond Crusted Chicken (above
right). This tender chicken breast is stuffed with spinach, artichokes and asiago
cheese and served with a side of mashed sweet potatoes in a white cherry brandy
sauce. This beautifully plated specialty item is always available and will
eventually be molded into the everyday menu. All ingredients found in this standout
entrée compliment one another perfectly, including the mashed sweet potatoes, which
were creamy and downright delicious. Another entrée worthy of much praise is the Pork Chop Alla Mario served in a cherry pepper au jus (below left). Plated alongside a helping of rich mashed potatoes, the chop is a tender, flavorful cut that presents a subtle heat from the tasteful cherry pepper au jus.
Our
final entrée was the delicately filleted Branzino (above right). Alan skillfully
filleted and deboned the branzino tableside with much precision. It is served in an
incredible sauce, which Alan has been making for 10 years, composed of garlic, EVOO
and a touch of parsley. It was a fresh, beautiful piece of fish that smelt
delectable as it was being prepared and tasted even better. Despite how full we were we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sample a few of Chef Mario’s homemade desserts. The Zuccotto was brilliantly plated and is a unique sponge cake filled with almonds, cream, coffee, chocolate and amaretto mousse (below left). It was enjoyably moist and a notable item on the dessert menu.
The
New York Style Cheesecake is another homerun (above right). It was dense and
decadent and a true portrayal of what New York Style Cheesecake should taste like. Rialto Restaurant is the kind of place that you’ll always look forward to visiting. From the outstanding cuisine and the personable staff, you’re always bound to be satisfied and smiling - and on your next visit be sure to ask Alan to show you one of his unbelievable magic tricks!
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